Measuring Ecosystem Health by Listening to Frogs

(May 6, 2026) - Karolyn McGovern, a master’s student in Biology with a bachelor’s degree in the same field, is the winner of the 2026 Three Minute Thesis competition, where she presented her research in just three minutes to a non-academic audience.

Her research focuses on frog communities in the Sudbury region, examining whether they have recovered since the acid rain crisis. The presence or absence of frogs can serve as an indicator of environmental health, similar to how canaries were once used in mining to detect toxic gases.

Originally from Ottawa, Karolyn developed an early interest in frogs, spending summers exploring a nearby forest with her sister. “When it came time to select a bachelor’s degree, it was an easy choice: biology,”.

To study frog populations, Karolyn uses a combination of methods. Automated acoustic recorders are placed in wetlands around Sudbury to capture frog calls during the spring and summer, while visual surveys are conducted to identify tadpoles, key evidence of active and reproducing populations. By identifying the species present, she can better understand the level and type of environmental impact in these areas.

One of the challenges of her research is the limited timeframe for data collection, as frogs only call between late April and early August, often at night. She was also surprised to find that Sudbury is home to eight different frog species, whose tadpoles can be difficult to distinguish. To assist with identification, she used the field guide Metamorphosis of Ontario’s Amphibians at All Stages of Development.

Reflecting on her fieldwork, Karolyn recalls a memorable moment from last summer when she and her supervisor spotted and eventually caught an unusually large bullfrog. “I took a picture with the frog, and she’s become a bit of a celebrity among my friends and colleagues, we’ve affectionately nicknamed her Beef,” she says.

Karolyn would like to thank her supervisors, Dr. Jackie Litzgus from Laurentian University and Dr. Mark Mallory from Acadia University. “They have both been phenomenal. I am extremely lucky to be supported by such an amazing team.”